Christine Bouma is an exemplary teacher who was selected to provide demonstration lessons. She teaches science and reading lessons that are well-planned, purposeful, and allow students to have exciting and rigorous learning experiences. Her students enjoy discussions about ideas and themes, not just worksheets. She is also a collaborative teacher who helps other teachers improve their craft.

1.
February 23, 2015
To Whom It May Concern:
I write in enthusiastic support of Christine Bouma’s application for a teaching position.
As associate director of a foundation that seeks out exemplary teachers as models for those selected to be
part of the ART of TEACHING, I regularly observe in k-5 classrooms throughout Los Angeles and
Orange Counties. I then participate in the identification of those who will provide demonstration lessons.
Christine Bouma is among those selected for such demonstrations.
Christine teaches in a remarkable school where we have found an abundance of teaching talent across
grade levels and content areas. However, even within this rather daunting environment of excellence, she
is a standout. Originally introduced to her through an inquiry based science lesson, we soon added visits
to observe fifth-grade reading in which she conducts remarkably inclusive literary discussions with
literacy strategies incorporated. I’ve not seen her teach math but know her background and am aware that
no one can work at Weaver without training or strength in math and its best pedagogy.
Her lessons are purposeful, well planned, and paced. She wastes no time but her organization and
forethought allow her to create exciting and rigorous learning experiences that are unrushed and
unregimented. This characteristic is particularly evident during science lessons, which invariably have
lots of moving parts integrated into a seamless whole. Her room buzzes with interest as students work in
varied configurations appropriate for the topic.
Christine knows that the big idea and the concept are key and form the framework on which she builds
skills and strategies. Her students clearly enjoy and thrive on discussions about ideas and are comfortable
when their teacher – or another student – challenges their thinking. Students talk about themes and
conjectures, not page numbers and work sheets.
She does not work in isolation; she is an eager and generous collaborator, evidenced by her work at the
school on standards integration and her willingness to host so many teachers interested in honing their
craft.
I’ve probably observed close to a thousand good to excellent experienced k-5 teachers in the last 12 years,
and she is among the very best. You would be fortunate to have her as a colleague.
Sincerely,
Barbara Golding
Associate Director
Cotsen Foundation for the ART of TEACHING